With Japan still in ruins, Strikeforce's Tatsuya Kawajiri fights for pride of a nation

Weeks after the 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami that brought life in many parts of the country to a standstill, the country’s MMA fighters are among millions who are trying to put their lives and livelihoods back together.

Many MMA observers believe Japanese MMA is on life support, if not already dead. And given the financial troubles of many of the country’s top promotions, the disaster couldn’t have come at a worse time.

So you could say Tatsuya Kawajiri (27-6-2 MMA, 0-0 SF), who meets Strikeforce lightweight champion Gilbert Melendez (18-2 MMA, 8-1 SF) April 9 at “Strikeforce: Diaz vs. Daley,” is fighting to prove Japanese MMA is still alive and kicking.

Kawajiri said it’s not only about that but also about bringing joy to those closest to him.

“I’m always fighting for myself, but I do want to meet the expectations of [my] fans and friends, so I’m looking forward to seeing my fans, friends and family smiling after the fight,” Kawajiri said through translator Ryo Ishibashi.

Kawajiri said training for next Saturday’s fight was halted for a week after the earthquake, but he somehow managed to find a new facility to resume his preparation.

It’s the Japanese lightweight’s first appearance since a unanimous-decision win over ex-Strikeforce champ Josh Thomson at DREAM “Dynamite!! 2010″ in December, and despite 35 professional fights, his first-ever bout outside of Japan.

Melendez handed Kawajiri a high-profile decision loss when they met at PRIDE Shockwave 2006, and Kawajiri is hoping to get a little payback.

“I feel that I have advanced as an MMA fighter, and I’ll be able to fight a smarter fight this time,” he said. “I’m training to become a better fighter every day, so that’s what I’m looking forward to in my second fight against Gilbert.”

Interestingly, Kawajiri’s preparation has not included work inside a cage. A similar strategy from his countryman, Shinya Aoki, raised questions about whether the lack of time inside the structure proved to be a stumbling block. (Melendez defended his Strikeforce belt this past April with a grinding decision win over Aoki.) That could mean Kawajiri is banking on a standup fight.

In any event, fighting offers a small sliver of normality after what he’s been through.

And nothing would bring a smile to the people around him better than a win and a new belt to take home.

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